Jackson Hole Art Blog

Like I told Rocky Vertone, the man behind Full Circle Frameworks:  ”You made me get gum stuck in my hair!”

Full Circle Frameworks is devoting its Work In Progress #6 to….WILDLIFE ART.

Inconceivable!

If Rocky can, as he says, “sell out,”  then game on.  Minds open.  We’re getting it.  Phew.

On Friday, August 20, fasten your seat belts and head over to 335 N. Glenwood for  art-as-it-happens.  The paint party starts at 6 pm.  (The fact that lots of alcohol will be on hand is touted; please drink, paint and drive responsibly.)

Many local artists will collaborate to create a single work, and as I understand it the only criteria is that the artists stick to the theme….wildlife.   Vertone says these artists plan to show up and paint — the list may increase.   I’m rearranging Rocky’s list alphabetically:  Ben Carlson, Cutter, Richard Goodwin, Kelley Halpin, Remy Milossy, Erin Smith, Travis Walker and Aaron Wallis.

You can find Full Circle Frameworks on Facebook. You can call Rocky at  307.733.0770.

Item #2

A recent visit to the Jackson Hole Art Auction offices (upstairs at Trailside Galleries , 130 East Broadway) revealed that the Auction has obtained a handwritten, illustrated letter from C.M. Russell to his”Friend Bob,” written by Russell in 1909.  ”Bob” was Robert J. Benn, a resident of Kalispell, Montana.

The letter reads:

March 28, 1909

Friend Bob,

I received both your letters and photograph. We thought the picture was a good one. When are you and Mrs. Benn coming? If you will let me know, I will meet you at the trane and we will try and give you a good time. That was a nice letter you got from Churchell. I’ll be wearing antlers the next time we meet. I make the high ride Monday the 30th. I may have to pull better but I’m betting I ride him. Hoping to see you and Mrs. Benn soon.

Your Friend, C.M. Russell

I got a letter from Goodwin, he sent his regards to you both.

The wearing of antlers Russell mentions refers to his new membership in the the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks of the USA, Lodge #214 in Great Falls, Montana. “Russell also makes reference to his new membership in the Elks with a typical, humorous drawing in which he depicts himself on a bucking goat while several elk shout out encouragement for him to stay in the saddle,” says the Auction’s Emma Zanetti.

Russell’s letter also arrived with documents relating to Benn’s murder at his own saloon in Kalispell.  The unsolved murder took place several years after this letter was written, and Kalispell’s newspaper ran the headline: “Robert J. Benn Is Shot And Killed—Assailant Unknown.” Sub-headlines announce that Benn’s body was discovered lying in a pool of blood behind the bar.

Approximately 250 lots will be up for sale at this year’s auction, taking place on Saturday, September 18, at the Center for the Arts in downtown Jackson.  In the spirit of disclosure, I have worked for the auction in the past. This year’s collection of lots is very exciting.  Zanetti notes that other masters such as Bob Kuhn, Lanford Monroe, Carl Rungius, Mian Situ, Howard Terpning, William Acheff and Clyde Aspevig are all well represented. For more information email her at registrar@jacksonholeartauction.com.   1.866.549.9278.

Item #3

The Contemporary Landscape, a show of new works by artists Andrzej Skorut and Shanna Kunz opens at Mountain Trails Gallery on Saturday, August 21, 4-8:00 pm.   Works will be on display August 19-26.

An August, 2010 article in Western Art Collector quotes Skorut.

“I believe in importance of the immediate visual impact of the painting; that one square inch of the painting should hold as much interest as the whole canvas,” says Skorut. “Yet I also believe that deeper, honest meanings should lie beneath the surface, giving the viewer an opportunity to embark upon a personal voyage of discovery.”

As Skorut’s followers know, the artist was born in Krakow, Poland.  Surrounded by the high culture of that city, the artist valued art from an early age.  But he makes his living painting landscapes. He is a Tonalist, and uses muted hues to suggest countryside mysteries.  Skorut notes that although he paints in what might be called a contemporary representational style, his paintings are also abstract; he renders hills, trees, pastures and mountains in reduced geometric form.  Viewers find themselves just a tiny bit hypnotized by this painter’s still, evocative work.

Kunz works in oils and watercolor.  Describing herself as “as a naturalist raised and rooted in the diverse landscapes of western America,” she also concentrates on conveying emotional connections she has with the land.  Spatial relationships are important, as is pushing color boundaries.  She and Skorut share subtle vibrations in their work, but Kunz allows an unmistakable golden light into her compositions.  That may mean she yearns more to catch the sun and its effects at specific times of day, and that those specific moments are the artist’s primary muse. And, while Skorut’s landscapes can zoom in or out, Kunz has a predilection for dense groupings of trees — they are the heart of her paintings.

For more information, contact Mountain Trails Gallery by phoning 307.734.8150.   www.mountaintrails.net

QUICK NOTE:

Saturday, August 21, Heather James Gallery hosts an Open House from 10-6pm. The gallery’s Los Angeles based curator Chip Tom will be on hand, giving art talks and tours all day.  Info: 307-200-6090 or lyndsay@heatherjames.com.

Horses.  Wildlife.  Robert Redford.   Michael Jackson.

Jackson’s Diehl Gallery (155 West Broadway, in Jackson) 5th Annual Fête happens July 3, 5:00-9:00 pm.  The gallery plans a stylish event, one featuring over 30 artists, including several new to the gallery’s roster.

Ashley Collins is one of those artists; she’s a 25-year painting veteran.  Noted for her abstract figurative images of horses, as well as her Colorfield works, she’s collected everywhere.

And where’s everywhere?  Diehl says private and public collections in Sydney, Dubai, Munich and New York display her work.  Super famous collectors include: Robert Redford, 20th Century Fox, Deborah Winger, Danny Sullivan III (race car driver) , Ringo Starr, the Sultan of Brunei,…maybe even the Sultan of Swing. It’s a pretty impressive list, and I note several outdoor enthsuiasts are included.  Collins has exhibited worldwide for years, including exhibitions with Rauschenberg, Dill, Motherwell, and (Jim) Dine.

Diehl’s release just said “Dine.”  As well as just “Rauschenberg,” “Dill,” and “Motherwell.”   But, they also said “Ringo Starr,” not “Starr,” and “Robert Redford,” not “Redford.”

Collins will have a solo exhibition later in the month, on July 23, at the gallery.  Time:  5:00-8:00 p.m.   This will also be a fundraiser, and for information, you can phone 307-733-0905.

Signed, “Christel”

Item #2:

“When I had you to myself,
I didn’t want you around—
Those pretty faces always made you
Stand out in a crowd….

Oh, baby, I was blind to let you go,
Won’t you please let me back in your heart?”

Bring your heart, soul and pretty faces to what may—or may not be—a final First Friday at Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary, good to go on Friday evening, July 3, 2009.

I’ll be there…

McCandless is trying to make it all work, but let’s really help, eh?  We come, we drink wine, we have a good time and do the moonwalk, but let’s buy some art, too.

What do you say?  Here’s the deal:

Lyndsay McCandless Contemporary is holding a First Friday “Rent Party.” Admission is free, but don’t expect free wine & beer; bring it.    Don’t expect to not buy a little bit of art; bring it.   Let’s put our money where our thirsty mouths are. This art will be affordable.  We all easily drop $100 on outdoor gear, or a night at the Bistro, or a new phone, or on groceries we eat in a couple of days, a massage, liquor.

Let’s drop a little bit of dough on some art, art that will last a long time.  Art that, every time we take pleasure in it, will remind us that we supported a purpose we love.   Before it’s gone…potentially gone.  Full circle mode.

If you’re not yet clear on the rent party concept, it’s a party to help with rent.

Rent parties have historical context relating to music.  According to Wikipedia, a “…rent party (sometimes called a house party) is a social occasion where tenants hire a musician or band to play and pass the hat to raise money to pay their rent, originating in Harlem during the 1920s.”   The rent party concept embraces jazz, and specifically “cutting contests,” wherein jazz pianists took turns trying to out play each other at rent parties.  LMC’s July 3 First Friday may include a little bit of contemporary cuttin’.

Works up for sale include individual vessels from Jenny Dowd’s latest installation and her small “object drawers.”  Matt Flint’s paintings are gorgeous and affordable.  “I was kind of miffed about an article I saw that talked about the attendees of (Lyndsay’s) First Friday events not being able to afford the “high priced work” on the walls. My prices have gone up recently due to demand, but I certainly do not want to edit out a group of people who support my work, but can not afford it,” says Flint.

Be ready to transport your art home—no plastic bags will be on hand.  BYOB, be of legal drinking age, and enjoy a truly collaborative arts party.  Support First Fridays for real.

All I need (buh buh buh buh ba! )All I want (buh buh buh buh ba!) All I NEED.. is one more chance to show ya that I love ya!

Item #3:

Galleries West! “All Things Wild” is their July 4th weekend opener.   And as you might guess, the exhibition features new works focusing on wildlife from six Galleries West artists: Michael Calles, Kate Ferguson, D. Lee, Lori McNee, John Potter, and Debbie Edgers Sturges.  The show opens July 3rd with a reception from 5-8 PM and will remain on display through July 15.

The gallery notes that wildlife as subject is an intrinsic, important part of Jackson Hole’s art history.   How could it not?  It’s one of the reasons we are all here, and we’re passionate about all wildlife, from giant grizzlies down to tiny pikas.   “All Things Wild” artists express their own passions in this special show.

The gallery provided these artist profiles:

“Michael Calles looks to historical masters of the wildlife genre to inform and inspire his beautifully expressive canvases.  Lori McNee (love her!) creates still life vignettes populated with tiny birds and natural elements that comment on our delicate relationship with nature.  John Potter, a Chippewa artist, paints nature and wildlife to express his love of creation and his connection with a powerful Creator.  Kate Ferguson renders her paintings with intimate detail and careful observation.  D. Lee is an alla prima painter, meaning she finishes the majority of her paintings in one sitting, so her pieces exhibit a direct approach with loose and expressive brushwork. And Debbie Edgers Sturges’ paintings are bold, brightly colored, and large, with huge brushstrokes and animals that directly engage the viewer.”

For more information, contact Galleries West Fine Art at 307-733-4412 or visit www.gallerieswestjacksonhole.com.